[GMAT2015g9] GMAT2015 gmat15cat9 Kaplan
CAT Certification Review Guide
**Question 1.** Which of the following best identifies a “weak analogy” fallacy in an
argument?
A) Assuming that because two events occurred together, one caused the other.
B) Claiming that a small sample represents the whole population.
C) Comparing two situations that differ in crucial respects.
D) Stating a premise that is contradicted by known facts.
Answer: C
Explanation: A weak analogy occurs when the argument draws a comparison between two
things that are not sufficiently similar in relevant aspects, making the inference unreliable.
**Question 2.** In an AWA essay, which of the following strategies most effectively
demonstrates critical thinking?
A) Summarizing the argument’s main points without critique.
B) Restating the conclusion in your own words.
C) Identifying underlying assumptions and evaluating their validity.
D) Using emotive language to persuade the reader.
Answer: C
Explanation: Highlighting assumptions and assessing whether they hold strengthens the
analytical depth of the essay.
**Question 3.** An Integrated Reasoning multi‑source question provides three tabs: a
paragraph, a bar chart, and a spreadsheet. Which of the following actions is the most efficient
first step?
A) Calculate all values in the spreadsheet before looking at the other tabs.
B) Read the paragraph to understand the context, then examine the chart for trends.
C) Memorize the entire bar chart before consulting the spreadsheet.
D) Skip the paragraph and focus only on the spreadsheet data.
,[GMAT2015g9] GMAT2015 gmat15cat9 Kaplan
CAT Certification Review Guide
Answer: B
Explanation: Understanding the context from the paragraph guides how to interpret the chart
and spreadsheet, preventing wasted effort.
**Question 4.** In a table analysis IR question, you are asked to determine which statements
are true. Which technique helps you avoid calculation traps?
A) Perform every arithmetic operation precisely before deciding.
B) Use elimination to rule out impossible combinations first.
C) Guess the answer based on intuition.
D) Rearrange the table rows alphabetically.
Answer: B
Explanation: Eliminating impossible options early reduces unnecessary calculations and saves
time.
**Question 5.** Which graphic is most appropriate for displaying the relationship between two
continuous variables?
A) Pie chart
B **Scatter plot**
C) Stacked bar chart
D) Tree diagram
Answer: B
Explanation: A scatter plot shows how one variable varies with another, making it ideal for
continuous data relationships.
**Question 6.** In a Two‑Part Analysis IR question, the answer to Part A determines the range
of possible answers for Part B. Which approach is optimal?
A) Solve Part B first, then adjust Part A to fit.
,[GMAT2015g9] GMAT2015 gmat15cat9 Kaplan
CAT Certification Review Guide
B) Guess both parts simultaneously.
C) Solve Part A completely before tackling Part B.
D) Ignore Part A and focus on Part B.
Answer: C
Explanation: Determining the exact outcome of Part A narrows the possibilities for Part B,
making the second part easier.
**Question 7.** Which of the following statements about the GMAT adaptive algorithm is
FALSE?
A) The difficulty of a question adapts based on the previous answer’s correctness.
B) All questions are pre‑selected before the test begins.
C) Early questions have a modest impact on the final score.
D) The algorithm adjusts for both accuracy and speed.
Answer: B
Explanation: Questions are not pre‑selected; the algorithm chooses each subsequent question
in real time based on performance.
**Question 8.** In the Quantitative Problem‑Solving section, which property is essential for
determining whether a number is divisible by 9?
A) The sum of its digits is a multiple of 9.
B) The last two digits form a number divisible by 4.
C) The number ends in 0 or 5.
D) The number is even.
Answer: A
Explanation: A number is divisible by 9 if and only if the sum of its digits is divisible by 9.
, [GMAT2015g9] GMAT2015 gmat15cat9 Kaplan
CAT Certification Review Guide
**Question 9.** A number n is prime. Which of the following must be true?
A) n is odd.
B) n is greater than 2.
C) n has exactly two positive divisors.
D) n is a perfect square.
Answer: C
Explanation: By definition, a prime number has exactly two distinct positive divisors: 1 and itself.
(Note that 2 is prime and even, so A is not always true.)
**Question 10.** If (x − 2)(x + 3) = 0, which of the following is a solution for x?
A) −5
B) −3
C) 2
D) 5
Answer: B, C
Explanation: Setting each factor to zero gives x = 2 or x = −3. Both satisfy the equation.
**Question 11.** In a geometry problem, the interior angles of a triangle sum to:
A) 180°
B) 360°
C) 90°
D) 270°
Answer: A
Explanation: The sum of interior angles in any Euclidean triangle is always 180 degrees.
CAT Certification Review Guide
**Question 1.** Which of the following best identifies a “weak analogy” fallacy in an
argument?
A) Assuming that because two events occurred together, one caused the other.
B) Claiming that a small sample represents the whole population.
C) Comparing two situations that differ in crucial respects.
D) Stating a premise that is contradicted by known facts.
Answer: C
Explanation: A weak analogy occurs when the argument draws a comparison between two
things that are not sufficiently similar in relevant aspects, making the inference unreliable.
**Question 2.** In an AWA essay, which of the following strategies most effectively
demonstrates critical thinking?
A) Summarizing the argument’s main points without critique.
B) Restating the conclusion in your own words.
C) Identifying underlying assumptions and evaluating their validity.
D) Using emotive language to persuade the reader.
Answer: C
Explanation: Highlighting assumptions and assessing whether they hold strengthens the
analytical depth of the essay.
**Question 3.** An Integrated Reasoning multi‑source question provides three tabs: a
paragraph, a bar chart, and a spreadsheet. Which of the following actions is the most efficient
first step?
A) Calculate all values in the spreadsheet before looking at the other tabs.
B) Read the paragraph to understand the context, then examine the chart for trends.
C) Memorize the entire bar chart before consulting the spreadsheet.
D) Skip the paragraph and focus only on the spreadsheet data.
,[GMAT2015g9] GMAT2015 gmat15cat9 Kaplan
CAT Certification Review Guide
Answer: B
Explanation: Understanding the context from the paragraph guides how to interpret the chart
and spreadsheet, preventing wasted effort.
**Question 4.** In a table analysis IR question, you are asked to determine which statements
are true. Which technique helps you avoid calculation traps?
A) Perform every arithmetic operation precisely before deciding.
B) Use elimination to rule out impossible combinations first.
C) Guess the answer based on intuition.
D) Rearrange the table rows alphabetically.
Answer: B
Explanation: Eliminating impossible options early reduces unnecessary calculations and saves
time.
**Question 5.** Which graphic is most appropriate for displaying the relationship between two
continuous variables?
A) Pie chart
B **Scatter plot**
C) Stacked bar chart
D) Tree diagram
Answer: B
Explanation: A scatter plot shows how one variable varies with another, making it ideal for
continuous data relationships.
**Question 6.** In a Two‑Part Analysis IR question, the answer to Part A determines the range
of possible answers for Part B. Which approach is optimal?
A) Solve Part B first, then adjust Part A to fit.
,[GMAT2015g9] GMAT2015 gmat15cat9 Kaplan
CAT Certification Review Guide
B) Guess both parts simultaneously.
C) Solve Part A completely before tackling Part B.
D) Ignore Part A and focus on Part B.
Answer: C
Explanation: Determining the exact outcome of Part A narrows the possibilities for Part B,
making the second part easier.
**Question 7.** Which of the following statements about the GMAT adaptive algorithm is
FALSE?
A) The difficulty of a question adapts based on the previous answer’s correctness.
B) All questions are pre‑selected before the test begins.
C) Early questions have a modest impact on the final score.
D) The algorithm adjusts for both accuracy and speed.
Answer: B
Explanation: Questions are not pre‑selected; the algorithm chooses each subsequent question
in real time based on performance.
**Question 8.** In the Quantitative Problem‑Solving section, which property is essential for
determining whether a number is divisible by 9?
A) The sum of its digits is a multiple of 9.
B) The last two digits form a number divisible by 4.
C) The number ends in 0 or 5.
D) The number is even.
Answer: A
Explanation: A number is divisible by 9 if and only if the sum of its digits is divisible by 9.
, [GMAT2015g9] GMAT2015 gmat15cat9 Kaplan
CAT Certification Review Guide
**Question 9.** A number n is prime. Which of the following must be true?
A) n is odd.
B) n is greater than 2.
C) n has exactly two positive divisors.
D) n is a perfect square.
Answer: C
Explanation: By definition, a prime number has exactly two distinct positive divisors: 1 and itself.
(Note that 2 is prime and even, so A is not always true.)
**Question 10.** If (x − 2)(x + 3) = 0, which of the following is a solution for x?
A) −5
B) −3
C) 2
D) 5
Answer: B, C
Explanation: Setting each factor to zero gives x = 2 or x = −3. Both satisfy the equation.
**Question 11.** In a geometry problem, the interior angles of a triangle sum to:
A) 180°
B) 360°
C) 90°
D) 270°
Answer: A
Explanation: The sum of interior angles in any Euclidean triangle is always 180 degrees.
